UKGC Licensed Casinos in the UK 2025

Online gambling was legalised in the UK with the passing of the Gambling Act 2005. This act created a regulatory framework for the industry, establishing the UK Gambling Commission to oversee all forms of gambling in the country, including gambling transactions across online platforms. This was a milestone for the industry as it opened up a new market with incredible growth rates to this day.

Contents

1. Top Fair UKGC Licensed Casinos
2. History of the UK Gambling Commission
3. Types of Licenses for UK Regulated Casinos
4. Application Requirements for UKGC Licensing
5. UK Registered Casinos FAQ

Having a license from the UK Gambling Commission effectively means that the iGaming platform follows the strict rules set by the regulator and offers its services to the players on a completely legal basis. Here is a list of the top 5 UKGC licensed casino sites worth a try:

For more best online casinos by different categories visit our page top 100 UK online casinos list.

What is UKGC?

Established by the UK government in 2005, the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating all forms of gambling in the UK, including online gambling (online casinos licensed by UKGC). The UKGC is responsible for licensing companies willing to operate in the UK market as well as for ensuring that they meet the highest standards of fairness, security and player protection.

The UK iGaming industry generates billions of pounds in revenue every year, and the UKGC has a vital role to play in keeping the integrity of the gambling market. The main goal of the regulator is to ensure that the most vulnerable people, particularly children and those who are at high risk of developing gambling addictions, are on the safe side.

All UK regulated online casinos should be aware that the UKGC has the power to impose fines, revoke licenses and take legal action against casinos without uk license. The UKGC also cooperates with a lot of reputable regulators around the world in order to combat illegal gambling and money laundering. The Commission has been very successful in promoting responsible gambling by mandating individual player verification (KYC) and encouraging the use of responsible gaming tools.

Given that the UKGC is an important regulatory body, it is crucial that players choose UKGC licensed online casinos that offer an honest and transparent online gambling environment. The efforts of the regulator help to protect consumer interests and promote responsible gambling. So, here are some of the important objectives that the Commission has in mind:

Actually, the list of objectives to be dealt with by the Commission is much broader, but we have highlighted the most important of them. That being said, it's essential that you choose UK licensed online casinos that comply strictly with all of the applicable laws. Compiling the online casinos UK reviews, CasinoHex experts pay attention to the license in the first place, as it is the most important criterion for choosing a reliable online casino.

By following the steps above, you will be able to choose a trustworthy UK licensed casino or make sure that the gambling site you are considering is not worthy of your attention.

The Role and Duties of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission

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The UKGC's main role is to ensure that all UK iGaming companies comply with the relevant laws and regulations to ensure that they operate fairly and responsibly. Therefore, when ranking the best UK gambling sites, we only choose licensed online casinos.

The UKGC is responsible for issuing licenses to gambling operators, monitoring and investigating any illegal gambling activities. The UKGC also has the power to impose fines, revoke licenses and take legal action against gambling operators who do not comply with relevant laws and regulations.

History of the UK Gambling Commission

Looking at the gambling industry in the UK as a whole, it is worth noting that gambling regulation first emerged many centuries ago. The first legislation took place in the 16th century during the reign of Elizabeth I when she issued a decree to regulate dice. During the following centuries, gambling remained a popular form of entertainment in Great Britain, and various laws were issued regarding it.

The modern history of gambling regulation starts in 1960 with the passage of the Betting and Gambling Act, which legalized land-based betting and casinos. Eight years later, a new law was passed to introduce licensing for gambling houses and to establish the Gaming Board for Great Britain which was responsible for regulating the gambling market. Although the first online casino games appeared in the mid-1990s, the UK government turned a blind eye to the new and fast-growing market for a long time. The first Gambling Act to take account of the iGaming market was passed in 2005. It updated and consolidated the then-existing laws. According to the Act of 2005, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was formed with responsibility for the regulation of all forms of gambling in the UK including the operation of online casinos in the UK.

In order to ensure the integrity of the gambling industry and protect the rights of consumers, the UKGC has introduced a number of measures one of which is a requirement that all operators must have a valid license. This means that UK casino operators must have an up-to-date UK gaming license to operate gambling in the UK, regulating advertising and promotions as well as ensuring strict anti-money laundering rules.

In recent years, the UKGC has focused on tackling problem gambling by introducing measures aimed at preventing addictive gambling habits among players. These include the use of special tools to ensure responsible gaming, including those to limit the deposits, bets and playing sessions up to the self-exclusion of the player. More recently, operators should also conduct additional checks to assess a player's financial capacity in order to prevent excessive spending on gambling activities.

New uk casino operators

This list features the newest online casinos that obtained a UK casino license in 2023 and 2024. Each entry has met the rigorous standards required for UK licensing, ensuring compliance and security. :

• Hot Streak Casino
  • Year Launched: 2023
  • Bonuses: Information not provided
  • Minimum Deposit: Information not provided
  • Number of Games: Information not provided
  • Withdrawal Times: Information not provided
• MadSlots
  • Year Launched: 2023
  • Bonuses: 100 free spins for £10
  • Minimum Deposit: £10
  • Number of Games: 300
  • Withdrawal Times: 2-5 days
• Casushi
  • Year Launched: 2023
  • Bonuses: 50 spins + 100% match
  • Minimum Deposit: £10
  • Number of Games: 1000+
  • Withdrawal Times: Instant – 3 days
• Bally Casino
  • Year Launched: 2023
  • Bonuses: 30 no wagering bonus spins for £10
  • Minimum Deposit: £10
  • Number of Games: 50+
  • Withdrawal Times: 1-3 days

Types of Licenses for UK Regulated Casinos

UK online gambling is a heavily regulated industry where only UKGC casinos can officially operate, with strict rules imposed by the regulator. The UK Gambling Commission issues 4 main types of licenses: operating licenses, personal management licenses, personal functional licenses, and premises licenses. Each of these licenses serves a specific purpose and applies to different players in the industry. Below we explain more about each of these three licenses from the regulator.

Operating License

This type of licence is mandatory for any gambling company, including land-based casino operators, casino operators UK and operators of sports betting sites. The operating license, which is necessary to run a gambling business legally in the UK, is subject to strict supervision by the UK Gambling Commission regulator. There are several criteria which need to be met by an operator to get an operating license:

Although the UKGC introduced a rather complicated and time-consuming process of applying for an operating license, new casino sites with a UK license appear literally every day. In order to get a license, the operator has to provide detailed information about its business, showing the structure of the property and providing financial statements and business plans.

The UKGC also carries out a thorough background check on all the managing persons of an iGaming company including its directors and key employees. This is done to ensure that the iGaming company is run by the right and proper persons for the gambling business.

Personal Management License

This licence is issued to the key individuals responsible for the management of an iGaming company wishing to operate in the UK gambling market. Such individuals may include CEOs, directors, senior managers and other senior executives.

A personal management license is required to ensure that the individuals occupying key positions in the gambling business are competent and suitable for the job. The following are some of the criteria for a person applying for a personal management license:

• A steady source of income to ensure their financial stability.
• No criminal record, including any gambling-related legal problems.
• The necessary qualifications and experience to perform the role effectively.

The UKGC has made the process of applying for a license very time-consuming and complicated. It involves submitting a detailed application form as well as undergoing a criminal record check as well as providing references. In addition, the person applying for a personal management license may be required to attend an interview initiated by the regulator to assess suitability for the role. It is noteworthy that a personal management license has a limited validity period of 5 years and after this period, the person is obliged to submit a formal application for renewal of the license.

Personal Functional License

As the most important approval granted by the UKGC, the Personal Functional Licence is issued to individuals who play a significant role in the gambling industry. This licence is mandatory for those in senior management positions and decision-making roles in the gambling business. This includes CEOs, directors and other senior executives. There are several criteria that senior executives must meet in order to qualify for a personal functional license:

• Must demonstrate personal and professional integrity.
• Must have sources of income to ensure financial stability.
• Must have evidence of competence in the field of gambling regulation.

Having obtained a personal functional licence, a person may hold senior gambling positions in the UK, including gambling operator, customer service representative or software solutions and gambling products provider. It is also compulsory for individuals providing professional services to the gambling industry, such as lawyers or accountants.

The UKGC conducts a thorough screening process for all candidates applying for a personal gaming license. This rigorous approach ensures that only suitable and competent people are granted a license, which ultimately contributes to the integrity and transparency of the UK gambling industry.

Premises License

Issued by the UKGC, this is another important legal document that allows a company or organisation to provide gambling services in the UK. This licence can be issued to land-based casinos and land-based betting shops, as well as online gambling and bingo sites operating in the UK.

The UK Gambling Commission is responsible for ensuring that gambling in the UK is fair, open and responsible, including those conducted by UK Gambling Commission casinos. In order to get a casino license, a company or organisation has to meet certain criteria. This includes having effective policies and procedures in place aimed at preventing problem gambling.

The process of obtaining a premises license is time-consuming and involves several steps:

• Completing a detailed licence application form.
• Submission of various supporting documents including a detailed business plan and information on the owners as well as the management of the business.
• Once the licence has been obtained, the company or organisation is required to display the licence in a prominent place on the physical premises. In the case of online casinos regulated by UKGC, the operator undertakes to display the licence details on the pages of the gambling website.

A vital part of the regulatory and legal framework for gambling in the UK, the casino license ensures that the casino operator operates in a safe and responsible manner and that their customers' interests are protected.

Application Requirements for UKGC Licensing

Those online casinos in UK wishing to get a license from UKGC have to apply to the regulator first in order to work on the local gambling market legally. There are quite strict requirements that have to be followed by the operators in order to get a gambling license. These requirements include player protection and fund protection, which are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the industry and ensuring player safety, and are discussed in more detail below.

Player Protection

One of the main goals of the Commission is to protect the rights and interests of players playing at UKGC online casinos. The UKGC has set strict requirements for operators to take reliable measures to protect their players from any potential harm that can be caused by gambling. Thus, UKGC casinos are obliged to provide their players with information about responsible gambling and problem gambling, as well as tools to help them manage their gambling habits.

Using reliable technology to verify the age of players wishing to register with a UK licensed casino is one of the key requirements of the regulator. Operators of online gambling sites operating under a UK gaming license have to make sure that all their players are 18 years and older and not at risk of gambling-related harm. This is achieved by implementing identity verification procedures in accordance with KYC (Know Your Customer).

Another requirement for an online casino license UK is the mandatory use of responsible gaming tools. These tools allow players to take a break from gambling or even to exclude themselves from gambling. Information about Responsible Gaming Tools – including those that allow self-exclusion – must be readily available to the player.

Fund Protection

Because online gambling involves the use of real money to place bets on casino games, protecting funds is a vital requirement for UK registered casinos. UKGC casinos are required to take safeguards to ensure that players' funds are kept in user accounts as well as to ensure that they are kept separate from operational funds. This gives an assurance that user funds will be safeguarded and available for withdrawal in the event the operator becomes insolvent.

UK licensed casinos are also required to give clear and transparent information about their deposit and withdrawal policies. This includes processing times for withdrawal requests, transaction fees and any limitations on transactions, such as having a maximum withdrawal amount per transaction or over a set period of time. Also, online casino operators must ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover all players' balances at all times.

Keep in mind that casino operators cannot guarantee that you will not lose big money during the playing session. This means that players should also take certain measures to protect their finances against big losses.

This is especially important if you play at casinos that accept PayPal in the UK as this payment method comes with less stringent transaction limits. We recommend following sensible bankroll management rules, where you should set a limit on the maximum amount you can spend during a playing session and stick to it.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Reliable UK Online Casino

While having a UKGC on a gambling website is an important indication that the gaming platform is running reliably and that you will have an enjoyable and safe online gaming experience, it is extremely important to check a few additional things before you sign up and make a deposit. Below we have listed a few criteria to consider to help you with finding really good UKGC casinos that you can trust with your deposit:

Another important factor to check is the quality of online casino support. Give preference to licensed UK online casinos offering multiple channels for contacting support agents including multiple customer support channels such as email, phone and chat. Additionally, check important things like customer support opening hours and how long it takes on average to get a response to a request.

Author

Jana Yarrow

Author, Gambling Know-All & Safety Master

Experience:3 years

It’s been almost three years now since Jana’s dedicated her life to guiding you through the world of online casinos at CasinoHEX UK. As teammates, we sometimes call her a gambling know-all and a safety master. Jana pays a lot of attention to the safety measures while writing in-depth casino guides for UK players.

Being a player herself, she’s seen both bright and dark sides of gambling. That is why Jana strongly believes in CasinoHEXes’ mission to provide a safer gambling environment.

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